„suffering and hope”- opening of photo exhibition in headquarters of KRG Representation in Poland

KRG Representation in Poland held in its headquarters opening of photo exhibition “suffering and hope” by father Dariusz Smolenski and Monika Pietkiewicz. Pictures were taken in autumn 2016 during the travel to Kurdistan with humanitarian convoy.

The event was attended by representatives of diplomatic corps, politicians, charity organizations, journalists, Kurdish diaspora and many other guests interested in photography. Bishop Rabban al-Qas from Duhok was a special guests at the event.

Opening of the exhibition has begun with a short speech given by KRG Representative Ziyad Raoof. He welcomed guests, talked about the circumstances of taking those photographs and also cited the latest statistics on refugees in Kurdistan.

He emphasized that due to the war damages, lack of funds for reconstruction and terror of militia refugees have nowhere to get back from the camps and many families, after trying to return to Mosul, decided to flee to Kurdistan again.

Dariusz Smoleński spoke about pain and sorrow captured on pictures but there is also happiness of small things. Co-author of the pictures remarked that it should be the reason of reflection for Europeans who live in affluence but they are often unhappy. Dariusz Smoleński stressed that the exhibition is a gesture of solidarity with refugees in the camps and aims to sensitize the audience to their fate. He announced the presentation of this exhibition in other Polish cities.

Bishop Rabban- special guest of the event- also took a voice focusing on present situation in Kurdistan. He spoke about the unchanging dream and purpose of the Kurds, that is independence. He noted with pain that the world supported the Kurds, when they fought against terrorists, but after the independence referendum turned away from them. Bishop Rabban talked about the tolerance and respect of the Kurds to all denominations and ethnic groups and their desire to live in peace, at the same time he reminded that the rights of Christians in Iraq are violated and they fall victim to persecution.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – The new Consul of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kurdistan Region, Ambassador Ahmed Jihad Hares visited the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations (DFR) and was received by Falah Mustafa, Head of DFR, and Siham Mamand, the Assistant Head and discussed current political developments, efforts to form the new KRG government and Erbil-Baghdad ties.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – Beata Kempa, Poland’s Minister for Humanitarian Aid visited the Kurdistan Region and was received by the Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), Minister Falah Mustafa, the Assistant Head of DFR, Siham Mamand, and the Governor of the Erbil, Nawzad Hadi, accompanied by the KRG Representative to Poland, Ziyad Raoof.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – The Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), Minister Falah Mustafa presented an academic seminar entitled “The Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdish issue around the world” at the Lebanese French University (LFU) in Erbil. The LFU Presidency, the University Commission, Heads of Departments and a number of students were also in attendance.

Dutch Foreign Minister, Stef Blok pays an official visit to Erbil

TUE, 18 DEC 2018 14:31

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – The Dutch Foreign Minister, Stef Blok arrived in Erbil, on the 17th of December 2018, and was welcomed by the Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Karim Sinjari and the Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), Minister Falah Mustafa.

Swedish Embassy Office in the Kurdistan Region celebrates a Winter Reception in Erbil

MON, 17 DEC 2018 14:32

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – The Embassy Office of the Kingdom of Sweden hosted a Winter Reception on the 12th December 2018 in Erbil, In attendance were senior KRG officials, members of Parliament, governors, representatives of political parties, the Ambassador of Sweden to Iraq, Pontus Melander, and Deputy Head of Mission in Erbil, Mahyad Tavakoli.

KRG UK Representation to organize an event for the Kurdistan trade delegation

MON, 17 DEC 2018 12:17

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – The KRG UK Representation and the British Expertise International (BEI) organized an event for the Kurdistan Chambers of Commerce delegation led by Dara Jalil Khayat, Head of the Federation of Kurdistan Chambers of Commerce. The delegation composed of the Head of Erbil Chamber of Commerce, Dara Jalil Khayat, Head of Sulaymaniyah Chamber of Commerce, Sirwan Muhamad, and Head of Duhok Chamber of Commerce, Ayad Abdulhalim in London.